Croton Falls Dam

WEST BRANCH CROTON RIVER· Putnam, New York· Built 1910· Masonry· 113 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Croton Falls Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1910 and is 116 years old. Its primary use is water supply. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 113 ft (taller than 98.9% in NY)
Dam Length1,070 ft
Dam TypeMasonry
Max Storage49.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage43.5K acre-ft
Surface Area1,063 acres
Drainage Area169 sq mi
Max Discharge16,500 cfs
Year Completed1910 (116 years old)
NID IDNY00039

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: March 12, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYCDEP DAMS EAST OF THE HUDSON RIVER

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Croton Falls Dam?

Croton Falls Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Croton Falls Dam?

Croton Falls Dam is owned by NYCDEP DAMS EAST OF THE HUDSON RIVER (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Croton Falls Dam built?

Croton Falls Dam was completed in 1910, making it 116 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Croton Falls Dam?

Croton Falls Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Croton Falls Dam?

Croton Falls Dam has a dam height of 113 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Croton Falls Dam last inspected?

Croton Falls Dam was last inspected on March 12, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.